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The hurt in his voice made my chest compress.
“No.” I threaded my fingers through his. “I trust you. I feel you through our bond. I’d know if you were unhappy or feeling trapped.”
“Then what is it?”
I exhaled. “I’m afraid.”
“Of your mother?”
I nodded.
He squeezed my hand. “You’ll be safe in Kral territory. She can’t touch you there.”
“I’m not afraid of that.”
“Then what are you afraid of?”
“I’m afraid for you, damn it.”
And a part of me was holding back because of it. This couldn’t last. Somehow, some way, Victorine would find a way to split us up.
“Me?” He sent me a long look, and then nodded as if he’d figured something out. “We can’t talk here. We’ll discuss it on the plane.”
* * *
The flight to New York took off shortly before midnight. We went first class, with comfortable leather seats and all the amenities, but I couldn’t help thinking of that flight to Paris.
I’d been so happy, hell, giddy with possibilities and freedom. I was happy now, of course—happier than I’d ever been—but I didn’t trust it.
Somewhere out there, Victorine was waiting for me to resurface. She couldn’t contact me yet because I hadn’t returned the SIM card to my phone. But I knew I’d be hearing from her as soon as I did—or even if I didn’t.
The flight attendant brought Rafe a rare steak. I sipped a red wine and watched him eat. I hated seeing him so thin.
What have you done?
Cold filled my nostrils.
Stop it. You did the only thing you could. Mating with Rafe was the best way to protect him from Victorine.
But what if I’d figured wrong? What if it wasn’t enough? Lainey’s posts would buy us time—Victorine was too canny to stir up the humans against her—but I knew my mother.
She had the resources and the singlemindedness to take Rafe away from me. We’d always be watching our backs.
I reminded myself that the Tremblay Syndicate would back me, or at least, most of them anyway. Rafe was my true mate, and I’d make sure everyone knew it.
But would it be enough to protect him?
Rafe finished his meal and the attendant cleaned everything way. He reclined the white leather seat and crooked his finger at me. “C’mere.”
Really? I shook off my worries and raised a brow.
I probably shouldn’t let him get away with that cocky, I’m-in-charge behavior. Although I had to admit, it turned me on.
His cheek creased in that knee-melting smile that had made me fall for him. “Please, sweetheart?”
I shook my head at him. But he had me atsweetheart. It would take a while for the newness of that to wear off.
I reclined my seat.
